Sources: Moss was becoming a distraction in New England

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on October 6, 2010, 11:03 AM EDT

Multiple sources tell us in the wake of the deal that sent receiver Randy Moss from the Patriots to the Vikings for a third-round pick that the trade became a necessity because Moss was becoming an in-house distraction for the Patriots.

Per one source, Moss “was pissing [coach] Bill [Belichick] off at every turn.” The source opined that Belichick wouldn’t have given Moss to Minnesota for a third-round pick unless Belichick knew that keeping him could hurt the team.

As another source explained it, some players were becoming more and more frustrated with Moss, who reportedly asked for a trade after his Week One postgame tirade regarding his perceived lack of appreciation, based on the actual lack of a contract extension.

That said, other players in the locker room liked Moss and had no problem with him. Still, if enough of them had enough of Moss and if Belichick was indeed growing weary of dealing with the downside of a guy Belichick didn’t plan to bring back in 2011, the move makes plenty of sense.

thanks for the 3 years Randy.. but NOW i know what oakland fans and minnesota fans meant when they talked about you… you alienate your fan bases when you leave.. just like your new quarterback… while i think this trade hurts in the short-term because of the pats lack of outside WR’s… if you dont wanna be in Foxboro.. Be Gone!!

If Moss doesn’t feel appreciated, he tanks. That’s his MO.
He wore out his time in Minny b/c he is not a leader & needs great players around him.
Therefore, he was BOUND to tank in Oakland.
I thought the move to get Moss from NE side was brilliant. Put his talent amidst a veteran team full of leaders. They almost made epic history…..they made the record books, but missed being an epic.
Moss made his feelings known about “not feeling appreciated” & his childish comments after week 1 was a sure sign. He looked like he was taking plays off again on MNF.
The Vikes will give him some $ now, since they are in “win now” mode. Moss will feel appreciated & come out motivated to help the team.
He’ll have games that he absolutely blows up. More importantly, his skill set brings strategic problems to opposing schemes, which has not been there b/c Rice has been out. So, this bodes well of AD too.
Moss will meld in just fine. Just watch….he’ll express appreciation after a 1 catch game for 17 yards, but AD blows up for 175 & 2 TDs. Moss will be happy with a W. He won’t act like a baby until the next time his contract is up.
That’s how it works.

I still don’t think it made sense, regardless of your future plans. I guess if you don’t feel this team is going anywhere, you trade him. But if you had any hope of winning a Super Bowl (or a playoff game), you might have wanted to keep him.

As another source explained it, some players were becoming more and more frustrated with Moss, who reportedly asked for a trade after his Week One postgame tirade regarding his perceived lack of appreciation, based on the actual lack of a contract extension.
That said, other players in the locker room liked Moss and had no problem with him. Still, if enough of them had enough of Moss and if Belichick was indeed growing weary of dealing with the downside of a guy Belichick didn’t plan to bring back in 2011, the move makes plenty of sense.
Translation:
Belichick was sick of dealing with an over-the-hill primadonna that has deluded himself into believing he can still play at a level that his age and rapidly declining skills do not reflect.
He should be a great fit in Minnesota.

I don’t really think anyone can question the move. The pats got a good 3 years or so out of him, which is more than anyone thought they were getting when they acquired him. You can slam the pats all you want, but they know when to cut their losses and at least get something back for a guy.

Hold up Packer and Pats fans, Anti-Viking people – we know what you’re going to say, and here’s the preemptive response:
This doesn’t automatically mean he’ll be a distraction in Minnesota. He’ll be playing for a contract here, and with Vikes fans welcoming him back excitedly with open arms, his diva mentality will be satisfied by the level of worship the fans will be bringing him the rest of this season. Anyone who has followed Moss throughout the years knows that that sort of attention makes him play better. He became a diva here, and this is nothing new for Viking fans. Keep him happy and relevant, throw the ball to him (and Favre will, there’s no way anything less will happen), and he’ll make plays.
I know you’re going to have something to say to this back that belies my statements, so really all I can do to convince you at this point is for you to simply watch and see.

Can you blame him? One of the best WR’s in History, definitely the best since Jerry Rice and the Hoodie acted like he wasn’t a huge reason Tom Brady broke the records he did or had the recent success they have enjoyed.
Notice no Super Bowl since they got caught cheating? They did come damn close, with the help of a81.
Moss has always performed when the team demonstrated they appreciated and wanted him. Minnesota tooka chance on him, and it worked well for them. He was a huge threat to any defense. They stopped showing appreciation and their relationship went down hill. He went to Oakland, had a good run until Oakland went Oakland.
He moves on to New England, and has been great there since. Big numbers, no issues. Ask Tom Brady how he feels about him.
All Randy wanted was to know the team he’s currently working for wants him around next year. But the Hoodie in his “genious” mind says he’d rather walk a guy out of a town than simply give him an extension.
New England’s blunder is Minnesota’s missing piece. Favre has every option, 2 top WR’s, 1 slot guy that is dangerous, a heck of a TE, and the best RB in the league. Plus a defense that’s doing great. Favre is definitely glad he came back.

the Pats are lucky they signed Brady. Unless Brady wanted Moss gone, I have a feeling he is going to be…not happy.
I see them trading for Vincent Jackson or Steve Smith. Possibly larry fitzgerald? would the cardinals do that. i’m guessing not, but the pats have the picks to make a big, big trade.

ejtowne says:
October 6, 2010 11:17 AM
Now it comes out!! A little late for this story, kinda figured thats what they would blame the trade on.
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Why ells would they trade him after 4 weeks into the season if there wasn’t the issue with “Randy becoming a distraction”?
I would love to here your theory.

Is there any football fan on this planet, if given the chance, would rather play WR for Bret Favre than Brady at this juncture in their careers? This isn’t about Randy wanting a ring, this is about Randy wanting money! Don’t let the door hit you in the arse on te way out.

Chapnasty are you a fashion consultant or something? I mean who gives a rats arse what he wears? Whats it got to do with the trade?
Maybe you could be a fashion consultant for Moss, who knows?
Anyhow the game to watch will be Moss w the vikes vs the pats. Should be very interesting…

sour grapes, eh NE?
He’s a once in a lifetime player, some say the greatest receiver to ever play the game. Should we be surprised that he’s distracting?
He distracts everyone, especially defenses. He played hurt for a whole season just to draw double coverage- that was distracting.
He’s a colorful personality. So what? The level of honesty he offers in interviews is refreshing. I wish more people said what they mean instead of the polished, practiced interview responses ala Bull Durham.

Arrogance of Bill Bellicheat…the guy is no genius, he’s just shiite azz lucky to have a 6th rounder turn into all world….When Mr. Arrogance was coach of the Browns, his team was leading the division when he replaced Bernie Kosar with Vinnie Testaverde in the middle of the game…calling Kosar a Son-of-a bitch….then cutting Kosar that night even though Testaverde went down with a season ending injury…The Browns went to Seattle with the dynamic Todd Philcox and promptly got demolished…end of season (I’m trying to be accurate as possible, this is from memory of years ago…but the gist is 100% accurate)…Bill Bellcheat is not a genius…he’s an arrogant azzhole!

Ironic how this comes a day after not catching a pass monday night..Though Im glad he’s out of my teams Division , I really see this one Biting that moron Belicheck and his ego in the butt,even if this turns out to be a trade and pick up V Jax ,how long it going to take for that guy to be in game shape ,he’s had no OTA’s ,no Camp & Preseason , and he’s now where near Moss’s level ,and the only thing this does tell us is that if Moss signs an extension ,we’ll have to deal with the Old man yet again another season!!!

IMO, this little incident may be enough to either keep Moss out of the HoF or seriously delay his entry. Consider how many receivers are up for bid now that likely will not have gotten in by the time Moss is eligible six years from now (I give Moss two years in MN and then retirement). Consider how he quit in Oak, disappeared in the second half of seasons in NE and whined like a little girl even when matched up with one of the best quarterbacks in a generation. Ten to fifteen years from we are going to be hearing from a contrite Randy about how he should have simply kept his damn mouth shut when in NE.
Give Belichick credit though. He got Randy for a fourth and got a third when he gave him up. If this keeps up, the next draft will be nothing but picks by the Patriots.

I dont see it like that. its not the money, he wants the love(contract extension) he never gets from any of the teams. look at it this year, he knew he wasnt getting an extension from them, so he lashed out. Especially when Brady got his and it didnt even seem like the patriots were talking to moss about his

@Anarcho Purplism
How exactly does he need great players around him? He’s made bad to mediocre QBs(prior to Brady) look good. He’s elevated the play of receivers below him on the depth chart(see Nate Burleson, Wes Welker, Ronald Curry.) Guys around him see their numbers go up, that’s a consistent trend. When he’s gone/before he got there, they’re nobodies. Welker and Brady might break this rule though.
When he did have a great player throwing him the ball, he broke the single season TD record.

Love him or hate him, Moss made that offense better. New England has been scoring points but their defense seems to be more of a contributing factor then the offense. Brady better be on his “A” game from here on out or the defense better have superb games everytime. New England might regret losing such a weapon …

Hey Florio..do you want to take back the comments you made to Rodney Harrison about T.O? …Since you were clearly saying that Moss was less of a distraction than T.O and that it would be interesting to see what happens if they come up for the H.O.F. at the same time…

This seems pretty lame to me. Yes, he might be whiny, but the Pats also may need him before the season is over. What are they going to do when the Vikes play the Pats at the end of October? It would be a hoot if Favre to Moss score the winning TD! Go Vikes!

If I was under a contract with my current job, and a co-worker was given a big extension, more money and more time. My contract ends on March 1st, and everytime I ask about an extension I get turned down or given the run around, you think I’m going to be all nice and peachy?!
How many of you would do the SAME thing? Prima Donna? No he’s just HUMAN!
None of you haters would behave any different if in a similar situation.

Belichick is a good coach, but is now overrated.
He is no dictator and analysts keep lying about him being a guy that “no one can mess with” because his dull expressions are “really” that scary.
Adalius Thomas and Lawyer Milloy were distractions, but everyone in the media pretended that I never knew and the media lied about how Moss was not going to be one because they wanted Brady and Belichick to not get distracted. Because if the team is distracted by the media, then the team will lose its focus and lose.
The media knows this, but can’t say it because if they do then they can’t get access or “stuff to do” anymore.
I’m sure the four letter network is saying how great this was for both teams because Brett Favre doesn’t get a classless wide receiver who acted classless and Belichick has the capability to create an explosive offense when it will be “good at best”.

He’s going to feel really appreciated in MN once Lord Farve retires. Or if Farve gets injured he’s just gonna love Tavaris Jackson throwing to him ROFL.
Within a month of getting to the Vikes Moss will be crying.

BTW, Jim Mora Jr. is an idiot for saying that Moss having zero catches is okay because he won’t be a distraction. What an idiot? The guy is dumb enough to vocally want the U. of Washington job over the Falcons’ and to only believe positive stuff from Belichick (hey, these coaches meet at events. So it’s possible).
It’s also ironic that he puts his lips on Moss’ behind because in the Fall of 2002 his dad said that you don’t want a guy like “Randy Moss on your team”.
Trust me on this Florio.

Hate on randy all you want but when he retires it will be Randy Moss and Jerry Rice as the best recievers ever. I tottaly understand the outburst, NE obviously doesnt want him if they wont resign him and he doesn’t want to be a rental player, which essentially he is with 1 year left on his deal and then he will be gone. Its like saying “i want you to cath 100 balls 20 td’s and get us to win the superbowl but after that i dont want you.” huge slap in the face. And he doesn’t alienate fan bases Minnesota fans really didn’t want to let him go. He was Minnesota, he was the face of the franchise even when Culpepper was lighting it up. Oakland, well its Oakland… And NE fans are soo cocky and arrogant that they think all should bow at the feet of BB. When in reality this is the worst thing to happen to this team. Im a bills fan and can tell you right now if Randy had been gone for that game the bills would have won. The Pats no longer scare me as a match-up problem.

BTW, Jim Mora Jr. is an idiot for saying that Moss having zero catches is okay because he won’t be a distraction. What an idiot!!! (Pressed the wrong key on my phone). The guy is dumb enough to vocally want the U. of Washington job over the Falcons’ and to only believe positive stuff from Belichick (hey, these coaches meet at events. So it’s possible).
It’s also ironic that he puts his lips on Moss’ behind because in the Fall of 2002 his dad said that you don’t want a guy like “Randy Moss on your team”.
Trust me on this Florio.

So what. Bill is always pissed at something or someone. Have ayou ever seen any of his press conferences? He’s always pissed at the media. He gets coaches in there that can’t even get along with the players. That pre pubescent McDaniels couldn’t even get along with Brady of all people. I’ll bet this is more about Bellicheat being a compete d-bag than it is about Moss pissing the guy off. Good luck with that pats. Who you guys going to throw the ball to now. This isn;t back in the day when you had no one to throw it to, but the D was stellar.

So this also explains why Moss did the whole “I was loved in the locker room, I hope they remember me as being a great man” etc rant.
Moss drafted by Minnesota 21st overall.
Traded to Oakland for 7th overall, 7th rounder, and Napoleon Harris.
Traded to New England for 4th rounder.
Traded to Minnesota for a 3rd rounder.
Seems like everyone got value out of Moss except the Raiders.

You know what is really lame? When people say oh shucks where is randy moss’s love of the game? Johnny Unitas really loved the game didn’t he… Untill the NFL refused to pay for his post career medical issues, that directly resulted from his playing career. These NFL owners and coachs are cut throat. Especially a cheating weasel like Belichick who has traded away every loyal vet on that team. Guys willing to play for that Cheap wad jerk Kraft. Then boom your playing for Oakland we not only traded you, we traded you to the worst ran organization in the league thanks for helping us look good.. Moss is looking out for himself. Better to play for a bald Forrest Gump than a Back Stabbing Cheater like Belicheck or a Slimey Weasel like Robert Kraft.

@ ham1
No I am no fashion consultant but you have to admit it was a little attention grabbing to say the least. It was almost like he was starting to appear as if he didn’t care or that he was starting to become a distraction with his attitude. Not to mention I believe it was that press conference when he said something about not being wanted or something or another. I could be wrong on that one but when you add it all up, it is like TO doing sit-ups with his shirt off.

Pats fans are completely changing their story from yesterday. Most of you dismissed the trade rumors as just fluff and couldn’t believe the Pats would do this. Now that it happens, you guys are quick to blast him and say he alienates his fan-base everywhere he goes. Classy..

scrapdawg12 says:
It is just Randy being Randy. Some guys will never learn. Can’t ever play the game for the love of the game. Always has to be about the money and he doesn’t need the money. He’s got enough of it
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Many of my friends won’t watch pro football because players are paid and don’t play “for love of the game.” But I don’t notice them working for love and no paycheck. Employment is about money. And many people measure their self-worth by comparing their salaries to others. It’s not about needing the money … it’s about needing to feel appreciated. If they don’t, they become insecure and pouty.
As long as the Vikes make him feel like a valued member of the team, Moss will be an ideal teammate–as he was during most of his time in New England.

Moss wanted an extension to continue playing for the Patriots. He is a good player. He has done good for the Patriots by playing well and being a good team mate. So far, he hasn’t hurt them in any of the ways people predicted.
As a reward, he’d like to have a contract extension. That’s what teams give players that they appreciate. The Patriots refused to work that out with him. Moss does not want to play for a team that doesn’t consider him worth extending.
Media always takes the side of the organization on stuff. “This player is being selfish”. You have to understand though that this is a business. Moss is working for a company that is going to release him in a few months. Due to this, he wanted to find a different job. The only way to accomplish it is to force the Pat’s hand with speaking out.
He had probably tried already to resolve the situation behind closed doors. Pats had to see this coming. Guy is an all star. He’s been great for you. If you don’t want him trade him.

Sam says ,
I’m a bills fan and can tell you right now if Randy had been gone for the game the bills would have won. The Pats no longer scare me as a match-up problem.
One of the dumbest comments today.

You are all missing the point. Randy is going to get a chance to win a ring, play with a QB he always wanted to play with AND get a boatload of cash in a final big money contract.
Sounds to me like he got exactly what he wanted, and I’ll bet he doesn’t give a damn what any of us think.

Chilly is an idiot but does know how to pucker up for his star player(s). Let the train wreck begin in Minny. Randy will start being Randy once the W-L record goes south and he recognizes what a shitty team he landed on led by an over the hill QB. This will be a major clusterf*ck.

# stadanko says:
October 6, 2010 11:19 AM
That’s exactly what they need more of in Minnesota, an over the hill Prima Donna who isn’t happy in a city until everyone there is kissing his ass.
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Now they have one of those who throws *and* one who catches! 🙂

iampats says:
October 6, 2010 12:40 PM
Sam says ,
I’m a bills fan and can tell you right now if Randy had been gone for the game the bills would have won. The Pats no longer scare me as a match-up problem.
One of the dumbest comments today.
==============================
Cmon, iampats, don’t be so rough on Bills fanboy. They have so little to get excited about.
I can see why he wouldn’t fear the Patriots as a match up problem- with an 0-4 record and average losing margin of 16 points, why would he waste the energy?
On the bright side, the Bills offense is only 10 points away from matching the age of their first time GM.

Moss against packers JV level secondary….. it will be a thing of beauty
Also, just to get this out of the way, I’m not expecting miracles against the Jets next monday, Moss will probably not on the field a ton, or 100% effective if he is. Moss, Rice split out, Percy (or Cam) in the slot, shiancoe at end, and AP in the backfield… there is not a team in the league that can match that talent, plus you’ve got Favre slinging it up there…. all those guys will go up to make the catch. Can’t think of a team that can defend it, or a team on offense that could equal the talent…
It might take 2 weeks to get everyone on the same page, then another game or so once rice is back, but we will run the table once there is understanding between everyone.

No, a contract extension is not a reward; his reward for playing over the last 3 years at a high level was a high paycheck, which he continues to receive. You extend someone if you think they are part of your future, otherwise, you let a team like the Raiders “reward” them.

@ Sando
You make a great point with Moss and his contract situation but you fail to point out the obvious: Moss was under contract and the organization didn’t owe him a new one until he completed his current contractual obligations. This is why many people, myself included, tend to side with the organization when it comes to greedy, spoiled, cry baby athletes like this.

iampats says:
October 6, 2010 12:40 PM
Sam says ,
I’m a bills fan and can tell you right now if Randy had been gone for the game the bills would have won. The Pats no longer scare me as a match-up problem.
One of the dumbest comments today.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Why ? he’s right they probably would of beat you!!!!

I am a NE fan and I am not happy that we lost Randy Moss. However, I remind you BB and Brady won 3 super bowls with a mixed batch of receivers: Troy Brown, Deion Branch, David Patton, David Givens just to name a few of the super star receivers. Troy Brown was the only one that stayed and don’t rememeber what the others did after they left because most were nonfactors without BB and Tom.
Just saying

Whether Moss is a boon or a coancer in Minnesota will depend entirely on whether the Vikings do well in the next few weeks.
Enough wins to peek above .500 and Randy will feel responsible for saving the franchise. He will feel appreciated and keep working hard.
Enough losses to rule out a meaningful playoff run and he’ll start pointing fingers (no doubt primarily at Favre) and become a major distraction.
It’s a desperation move, but desperation moves sometimes work out, too. Childress better hope things starting working out fast if they’re going to work out at all.

Bdrunk says:
October 6, 2010 12:55 PM
I’m surprised the Vikes didn’t learn their lesson the first time.
Uh… Viking fans were completely pissed off when Moss was traded.. What lessons should they have learned from wanting a player to stay originally??

@ Sam..
As a bills fan, you should do nothing but shut ur mouth and wait for the 1st pick in next year’s draft. Yea without moss you would have beat us… hey good call.. you haven’t beaten anyone this year and all three of your division opponents beat you.. two of them at home.. ur the worst team in the division and one of the worst in the NFL no one is worried about you. But thank ur run defense for me they got LT huge fantasy points for me

Randy Moss is one the best WRs to ever play the game (and some can argue the best WR period).
Yes he’s a handful, but hes one of the greats. And make no mistake about it, he’s not like TO.
But NE ignored his requests in the off-season and then left him completely out of the game plan last week on MNF….
If I were Randy Moss I would have been looking to get out of there too.
To hear many on this board rant about what a jerk Moss is makes me question your perspective.

Mike Shanahan & Bill BelliCHEAT are polar opposites! Shany keeps Haynesworth around while he destroys team chemistry, wastes everyones time, sinks the Head coaches credibility, and brings NOTHING to the table on gameday. No big plays, just a big payday just for Fat Albert finding a way to squeeze into his uniform. Meanwhile BelliCHEAT cuts the strings so quick he’s actually hurting his own team in the process. (Which I LOVE since I hate those bleeps). Honestly though inspite of my utter hatred for those you know whats, I’ve always respected Bellicheat’s gambler mentality of taking the RISK.
To win it all, you’ve got to be willing to RISK it all. That’s the name of the game, & too many HCs make their careers on winning games but never winning it all. Too many Chokeheimers who never win the big one because they’re afraid of RISK. I hate Bellicheat, but I acknowledge & respect him as a risk taker. Go for it on 4th down in your own territory? He’ll do it in a heartbeat. CUT players when they become cancerous & rotten….even IF they can still play the game? He’s cutthroat about it, & I LIKE THAT. Why? Because the NFL is a cutthroat business, & that’s the only way to survive.
His philosophies unfortunately been proven to be a winning one in the salary cap era. Trade, cut, get rid of the over priced vets…….bring in the young rookies & COACH THEM UP. Novel idea but amazingly no other team in the league can figure it out. Owner’s would rather throw RIDICULOUS sums of money at the Pete Carrol’s, Shanahan’s, Mora’s, Singleterrys, etc. Who AMAZINGLY can’t coach, & only MANAGE the talented players they have. Which nets a few wins here & there, but never nets a true CHAMPIONSHIP. Which should be what it’s about, but unfortunately just like so many things in this world it’s only about MONEY. Ok I think I’m too depressed now to continue so I’m gonna stop. At least I’ll have a smile on my face the rest of the yr. as I watch Welker & Brady getting bounced off the turf! *giggle*

Why so much hate on the bills? Alright im sorry i broke your fragile reality with my comments before i stated i was a bills fan but the truth hurts. There is absolutley no way this move works out for NE. I mean if so tell me how? If the vikings make the playoffs and make a deep run that pick essentially is a 4th rounder. And if they want to “feel out” tate before possibly making a play for VJ then i will boldly predict losses in the games until he arrives. NE totally lost it’s “track meet” dimension, no more “strike from anywhere” plays. Over the next eight weeks you play teams with a pretty large arsenal and with that leaky defense… i would say 2-6 maybe 3-5 over that span and you would lose so much ground on the Jets. Say im an idot, disagree with me all you want, but again the truth hurts. As a bills fan i expected the bills to be a 4-12 5-11 team with a top 5 pick, and they are on their way, but i bet you NE fans thought superbowl when in reality you could now be looking at a 6 seed in the playoffs, or worse. So again hate on me all you want, stats are deceiving, but film doesnt lie… but you already knew that.

Moss will NOT play for VIKES next year. Guaranteed. That is unless they give him his own plane, 10 million dollars and hire a full time Momma to love and cuddle him everyday to tell him how much the VIKES love him and how important he is, and how is the best receiver ever – whoops check that. That would be Jerry Rice.
If Randy pouts and doesn’t produce then Chillys gone and so is Favre and then they are Back to square one and BB looks smart again.

Sam, Pats fan here. You have a right to your opinion but most Pats fans will tell you that their defense is what almost cost the Pats the game against you.
Teams shouldn’t “fear” each other but I would think you have seen enough Pats Ws over the Bills sans Moss that you might want to reevaluate that.

Randy will fit right in. They have a QB who likes to harass female employees, a LT that beats bouncers with a metal pipe, a LB that was suspended for illegal subtances, two more DT that should have been, numerous speeders and a Love Boat that can be rented by the hour.
Randy can get away with whatever he wants with a weak, cross dressing head coach so its all good.